Mary Quehrn, Naval Station Everett
New Parent Support Home Visitation
Program
Mary.quehrn@navy.mil
www.navylifepnw.com




100,000 children born to active
duty service members each
year.
40,000 active duty families
have children under age 5.
25% of children of reservists
and National Guard are under
age 5.
83, 233 Active Duty single
parents
Optimistic
Self-Reliant
Mission driven for a
larger cause
Aware of their sacrifice
Value resourcefulness
Pride
 Commitment
 Sacrifice





Commitment and
reliance
Sense of pride and
honor
Support and
understanding from
others in the military
community
Experience of diverse
settings and people
from across the country
and around the world




Isolation
Frequent moves
Disruption of
relationships
Risks for family
conflict (marital,
emotional distress,
domestic violence)






Deployments
Temporary Tours of Duty
On duty 24/7
Exercises and Alerts
No notice inspections
Change of Station
(relocating)




Leave their civilian job to perform military
mission
Often do not live near installations for support
services
Change health care provider from civilian to
military
Live in communities that may not have an
understanding of military life
Do
you identify the
military families in
your program?
How do you identify
military families?
Do military families
get any special
considerations?





Repeated Deployments
Extended Deployments
Since 911 Deployments unpredictable in length
and frequency
Other situations that could turn deployment
cycle to an emotional downward spiral for the
families
Complicated by the families experience of
military culture and expectations of the
military for military families.
Pre
Deployment
•Anticipation of
Loss 1-6 wks
•Detachment &
withdrawal
Reintegration
Deployment
•Renegotiation of
relationships 6 wks
•Reintegration &
Restabilization 612 wks
•Emotional
Disorganization 6
wks
Sustainment
•Recovery &
Stabilization 3-12
months
•Anticipation of
Homecoming 6
wks
1,615 interviews of caregivers of infants and toddlers
in a public opinion poll conducted for ZERO TO
THREE
•
69% do not realize that by six months that most
babies can experience fear and sadness.
•
65% did not think a child can begin to sense and be
affected by parental mood
•
52% believed that a child’s ability to feel good or
bad about themselves occurred after age 2.
•
43% believed a child could control their emotions
by age 3.
•
20% believed children can control their emotions
by age 2.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Changes in family life
New systems/professionals
Changes in physical environment
Changes in child care
Changes in social contacts and friends
Sights/sounds/ touch/ smells
Anticipatory grief
Separations/loss of primary caregiver and the
activities and routines that person represents
Possible complicated grief/bereavement
Resilience






Increased clinginess, crying
and whining.
Greater fear of separation
from parents or primary
guardian
Increase in aggressive
behavior
More withdrawn and
difficult to engage
Can create a challenging
cycle of interaction
The remaining parent
already stressed by the other
parent’s absence




Brochures, pamphlets and board books for
families
Guides for professionals supporting families
Some materials available free through Military
One Source www.militaryonesource.com
Some Materials available through Zero to
Three www.zerotothree.org





Be aware of the impact you have on families
and they have on you.
Be an active listener.
Talk with families/parents/children during a
difficult time
Acknowledge a parent who voices regret, guilt,
frustration, or anger
Guide family members to recognize and build
on their strengths
Joint
Base
Lewis
MCChord
Work and Family Life
Programs





Navy- Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC)
Army-Army Community Service Center (ACS)
Air Force-Airman & Family Readiness Center
Marines-Marine & Family Programs
Coast Guard-Work Life Programs
Child, Youth & School Programs
Morale, Welfare & Recreation (MWR)






Homecomings
Deployment Nights
Trainings
Fairs & Special
Events
Return & Reunion
Change of
Command





Transition
Assistance Program
(TAP)
Job Fairs
Sponsor Training
Welcome Aboard
Navy 101



Anger & Stress
Management
Training Tailored to
Commands
Kids’ Deployment
Camp

Command Contact



Support Group
Resources
Application Assistance



Interviewing
Resume Help
Resources






Pre-Deployment
Nights
Family Readiness
Groups
Return & Reunion
Children and Family
R&R
Special Events
Homecomings


Individual Augmentees (IA’s)
 Pre and Post Deployment
Briefs
 Ongoing Discussion Groups
 Coordinate with local
medical treatment facilities
for mental health and
support services
IA Family Members
 Ongoing support groups for
spouses
 Support groups for children
offered both on base and at
local schools




Adult & Child
Counseling
Sexual Assault
Prevention Response
D A Victim Advocate
Family Advocacy
Bringing parenting education and
resources to military families in their
homes
•
Home Visitation
•
Support Group for Pregnant
Active Duty
•
Participate in Deployment
Readiness including Return &
Reunion Activities
•
Participate in Events serving
Families and Children
•
Parenting Resource/Lending
Library with Books, DVD’s


Coming Together Around Military Families
(CTAMF) is an initiative of Military Family
Projects at ZERO TO THREE that works to
strengthen the resilience of young children
across all military service.
Contact: mprojects@zerotothree.org







The Emotional Cycle of Deployment
Zero to Three CTAMF Staying Connected
Zero to Three CTAMF Reunification
Zero to Three CTAMF Tips for Helping a Child
After Deployment
Zero to Three CTAMF Supporting Your Child
While a Parent is Deployed
Zero to Three CTAMF Helping Your Child
Prepare for a Parent’s Deployment
Fleet and Family Support Brochure
Zero to Three, National Center for Infants,
Toddlers and Families, Coming Together
Around Military Families-JuliaYeary 2011
•
Mental Health and Family Support for
Military Families with Infants and Young
Children
•
A Special Presentation for Early Care
Professionals
•
Supporting Young Children Before, during
and After Deployment: A Special Presentation
for Parents